Handheld mobile light source

Abstract

In one aspect, a handheld lighting system is disclosed, which comprises a handheld housing extending from a proximal end to a distal end, and a light module disposed at least partially in the housing. The handheld lighting system further includes a removable and replaceable power module that is coupled to the housing (e.g., it is at least partially disposed within the housing) and is electrically coupled to the light module, e.g., through a pair of electrical leads, for providing electrical power thereto. Light intensity from the light module may be controlled from a knob on the power module. Various adapters can allow the lighting system to attach to a multitude of medical, industrial, dental or veterinary endoscopes or other instruments.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A handheld lighting system, comprising:
 a handheld housing extending from a proximal end to a distal end; 
 an enclosure formed within an internal space of said handheld housing proximate to the distal end thereof, wherein said enclosure comprises a lower portion and an upper portion; 
 a light module having a light source to generate light and a lens optically coupled to said light source, wherein said light module is removably and replaceably disposed in said lower portion of the enclosure; and 
 an adapter removably and replaceably disposed in said upper portion of the enclosure for coupling the light module to a light guide of a device such that the light guide receives the light generated by the light module, 
 wherein the adapter comprises:
 an upper portion configured for removable and replaceable coupling to the light guide of the device; and 
 a lower portion configured for removable and replaceable engagement with the upper portion of the enclosure. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The handheld lighting system of  claim 1 , further comprising a retaining window removably and replaceably received in said upper portion. 
     
     
       3. The handheld lighting system of  claim 2 , wherein said retaining window comprises an opening for coupling to said adapter. 
     
     
       4. The handheld lighting system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a power module disposed within said handheld housing and electrically coupled to said light module for providing electrical power thereto. 
 
     
     
       5. The handheld lighting system of  claim 4 , wherein said power module comprises a battery. 
     
     
       6. The handheld lighting system of  claim 4 , wherein said power module comprises an AC-to-DC converter. 
     
     
       7. The handheld lighting system of  claim 4 , wherein said power module allows adjusting an intensity of the light generated by said light module. 
     
     
       8. The handheld lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein said light guide comprises at least one optical fiber. 
     
     
       9. The handheld lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein said device comprises any of an endoscope, an illuminated surgical instrument, a surgical headlight, a video camera, a retractor, or a speculum. 
     
     
       10. The handheld lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein a lower portion of the adapter comprises a plurality of threads for engaging with a plurality of internal threads disposed in said upper portion of the enclosure. 
     
     
       11. The handheld lighting system of  claim 1 , further comprising a heat sink disposed on an external surface of said handheld housing. 
     
     
       12. The handheld lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein said lens comprises a light reflection surface and a light output surface. 
     
     
       13. The handheld lighting system of  claim 12 , wherein said reflection surface of the lens has a substantially elliptical shape. 
     
     
       14. The handheld lighting system of  claim 12 , wherein said lens further comprises a light incidence surface, wherein said light incidence surface surrounds said light source to receive the light generated by said light source. 
     
     
       15. The handheld lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein said light source comprises at least one lighting emitting diode (LED). 
     
     
       16. A handheld lighting system, comprising:
 a handheld housing extending from a proximal end to a distal end; 
 an enclosure formed within an internal space of said handheld housing proximate to the distal end thereof, wherein said enclosure comprises a lower portion and an upper portion; 
 a light module having a light source to generate light and a lens optically coupled to said light source, wherein said light module is removably and replaceably disposed in said lower portion of the enclosure; and 
 a plurality of adapters each of which having an upper portion configured for removable and replaceable coupling to a light guide of one of a plurality of different devices and having a lower portion for removable and replaceable engagement with said upper portion of the enclosure for coupling light generated by said light source to a respective one of said devices. 
 
     
     
       17. The handheld system of  claim 16 , wherein said devices comprise a plurality of different medical devices. 
     
     
       18. The handheld system of  claim 16 , wherein said devices comprise a plurality of different medical endoscopes. 
     
     
       19. The handheld system of  claim 16 , wherein said devices comprise different illuminated surgical devices. 
     
     
       20. The handheld system of  claim 19 , wherein said surgical devices comprise a surgical head light and a retractor. 
     
     
       21. The handheld lighting system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the retaining window is configured to couple to the adapter; and 
 the adapter is configured to couple to the light guide, so that the light module is optically coupled to the light guide. 
 
     
     
       22. The handheld lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the enclosure is configured to couple to the adapter; and 
 the adapter is configured to couple to the light guide, so that the light module is optically coupled to the light guide.